Writing machine



Nov. 10, 1942. w. UHL 2,301,482

WRITING MACHINE Filed Jan. 8, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN'fCR. Wdlz'am/fui BY 7 has ATTORNEY.

Nov. 10, 1942. w. UHL

WRITING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 8, 1941 INVENTOR. h z'anv(/66 BY fies ATTORNEY.

Nov. 10, 1942. w. UHL

WRITING MACHINE Filed Jan. 8, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

U/zL

' QE/MZM ms ATTORNEY.

Nov. 10, 1942. w. UHL

WRITING MACHINE Filed Jan. 8, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

BY m4 1 Kg; ms ATTORNEY.

Nov. 10, 1942. I w, UHL 2,301,482

WRITING MACHINE Filed Jan. 8, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR. Wdc'a'nz[/fzZ/ m ATTORNEY.

NOV. 10, 1942. w UHL 2,301,482

I WRITING MACHINE Filed Jan. 8, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 REGULA! Tm:ovzz'rm: Ami. DE moqn'r wezx ENDING mum nu:

nouns armour mum AMOUNT ms. EoAa. UNEMP. cranium Mlsa.

(smmm'aes NAME) (s'nzzzr AND rwmaan) (PQTI' ornni) (ET/1T5) (we Av warnm'ruomr) @m: or BIRYH: MONTLg (JAY) znn) @nuznr mama) (up: or WORK)REMARK:

REGULAR TNE OVERTINE RMDUNJ' DEUUCTIOHS AMOUNT WEEK ENDING EARNED nu:

noun Amum' HDUI5 AMOUNT ma. EQAB. LINENIZ mucus"! ruse.

OEDUCTIDNS TIME OYERTIME AMOUNT DUE uNEMP.

INVENTOR.

his ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 10, 1942- UNITED STATES This invention relates toimprovements in a writing machine such as an appliance adapted toreceive and hold separate record sheets in manifolding relation, and bythe use of which entries may be inscribed on the uppermost sheet andsimultaneously transferred to the underlying record sheets at onewriting. An important advantage of the machine is that provision is madeto locate the entry portion of each record sheet at the writing line ofthe appliance. It is particularly useful in assembling a group ofseparate record sheets and handling bookkeeping operations essential inthe manual posting of entries relative to payroll or other disbursementsand accounts receivable, such as installment accounts of merchants, loanor iinance institutions, and the like.

Another object is the provision of a writing machine arranged to receivecertain record sheets positioned at the writing line of the appliancefor a single line of entry, and another record sheet positioned andmechanically advanced with respect to the writing line for the receptionof a number of successive entries, the arrangement being such as tofurther provide for readily adjusting the extent of each advance of thelatter record sheet according to the requirements of any posting orbookkeeping operation.

To these and other'ends the invention resides parts, all as will behereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed outin the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the writing device showing several recordsheets positioned thereon for the reception of the entries posted at thecommon writing line of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a plan .view of a modified arrangement of the writing deviceshowing several record sheets positioned on the device in a somewhatdifferent manner for a posting operation,

the record sheets positioned on the device but with certain parts brokenaway to show some of the operating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal, vertical section taken substantially on theline 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing positioned in the device.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken substantialiy on the line5-5 obFig. 3.

' Fig. 6 is a longitudinal, vertical section on the line 8-6 of Fig. 3showing the operating mechain certain improvements and combination ofFig. 3 is a plan view similar to Fig, 1, without the writing platenlowered and the record sheets PATENT OFFICE WRITING MACHINE ApplicationJanuary 8, 1941, Serial No. 373,637

Rochester, N. Y., a cornism of the device in the normal or intermediateposition.

Fig. 7 is similar to Fig. 6 but showing the operating mechanism moved tothe forward position effective to raise the platen to writing position.

Fig. 8 is also similar to Fig. 6 but showing the operating mechanismmoved to the rear position effective to actuate the feed roll means andthe carbon web advancing means.

Fig. 9 is a detailed sectional view showing the spring clutch meanscapable of making a. driving connection between the actuating means andthe feed roller shaft.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal, vertical section taken on the line Ill-40 ofFig. 3, showing the head raised and the feed rollers separated to permitinsertion and positioning of one of the record sheets in the device.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary showing similar to Fig. 10 but disclosing thehead lowered to writing posit-ion and the feed rollers in cooperatingengagement.

Figs. 12, 13, and 14 are fragmentary views of certain types of recordforms adapted to be used with and positioned on the device inmaniiolding relation for the reception of entries at the common writingline of the machine.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view operating means.

The reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the sameparts.

The invention comprehends a sheet writing or posting machine which isadapted. for use in 33 bookkeeping operations essential to disbursementand accounts receivable procedure. While the machine may be used forvarious types of bookkeeping operations it will be described, by way ofexample, in connection with a modern payroll disbursement procedure. Inmodern payroll practice it is essential to supply each employee with arecord of period earnings and deductions, including deductions forSocial Security, unemployment or group insurance, etc. While thisinformation may be embodied in the body of a pay check or cash envelope,it is common practice to inscribe such data on a detachable stub portionof the check or envelope so that the record may be retained by theemployee. A representation of a check having a removable stub portionprovided with a voucher panel is shown by way of example in Fig. 14.

An individual earning record sheet is also used for the purpose ofproducing a record of each weekly transaction. An earnings record ofthis showing a modified form of an actuator for the the individualemployee.

employer. The payroll or journal sheet is pro-' vided with a series ofentry lines each providing for an employee's name and the datacorresponding to that inscribed on the other record sheets.

In the use of the present invention the payroll record sheet ispositioned in the machine and adapted to receive a line of entry in eachposting operation. The individual earnings record and check with thevoucher stub are inserted in the device for a single line of entryrelative to The forms arepositioned in the machine in superimposedrelation so that the inscription on the original or top form istransferred to the underlying record sheets.

Referring now to the drawings, the machine is provided with a casinggenerally designated by the reference numeral i adapted to receive thepayroll record sheet 9, An adjustable and movable head or sheet holdergenerally designated by the numeral I1 is pivotally mounted to the baselil and adapted to receive the individual earning record 8 and the checkor record sheet I. In this manner a plurality of independent recordsheets are arranged in'manifolding relation for the reception ofwritings entered upon the original or topmost sheet by a suitablewriting instrument.

In the use of the device, the operator grasps the fingerpiece 40provided at the front of the head I! and raises the head from theposition shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 10. This displacement ofthe head I! permits free access to the bed of the base It forpositioning the payroll record sheet 9 thereon. The casing I0 includesthe side frames II and i2 and the top plate or bed l3. The tie-rods l4and a, together with the rear cross member l5, serve to retain the sideframes in spaced relation. A cross shaft l8 having its ends mounted inthe side frames adjustably supports the head, Figs. 1, 3, and of thedrawings. The head ll pivotally supported on shaft I6 is shown in normalwriting position in Fig. 4, but it is adapted to be raised to theposition shown in Fig. 10, as previously mentioned.

The bed plate l3 serves as a support for the record sheet 9 and isprovided with an opening l8 at the common writing line of the devicegenerally denoted by the center line marked W-W,

Fig. 4 of the drawings. A platen or support I! is aranged at the writingline of the machine, and is adapted to be raised and lowered through theopening ii at predetermined intervals in the operation of the device.The platen I9 is prefer-'- ably a flat plate adapted when in its upperposition to serve as a support or writing surface for the record sheetspositioned in manifold relation. The downwardly formed ends of'theplaten memher I! are rigidly secured to one end of the links 20, Figs, 4and 5. The opposite ends of the links 20 are adjustably supported by arod 2| carried by bracket 22 mounted on the under side of the bed I 3. Aroller 23 carriecf by each side link 20 engages the platen positioningcam 24 adjustably secured to the rock shaft 25 by the set screws 28. Theopening I8 is somewhat wider than the platen member I! as shown in Fig.5, and provides for shifting the platen ll trans- I to the rocker arm 28and the bar versely in order to provide a writing SWI at varyinglocations for different bookkeeping operations. Lock collars 21,arranged on rod 2| adiacent the links 20, normally hold the platen in apredetermined position, but the collars may be moved to correspondinglyshift the platen. Therefore, the arrangement provides that the platen l9and the operating cam 24 may be suitably shifted on their supports. i

As viewed in Fig. 6, a rocker arm 28 pinned to the rock shaft 25adjacent the side frames II is operatively connected to an actuating bar29 by the link II. The link III is connected at 30 at its other end tothe downwardly depending portion 29a of the bar 28. A knob ll carried bythe actuating bar 28 projects through an elongated slot 32 formed in theside frame H and provides for manually shifting the bar 28. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuating bar 29normally rests in the normal or intermediate position as shown in Fig.6'but is adapted to be shifted forward to the position shown in Fig. 7in the initial operation of the device, for the purpose of raising thesupport or platen I9 to writing position. After the posting operationhas been completed 29 is then adapted to be shifted rearwardly to theposition shown in Fig. 8 for the purpose of displacing or lowering theplaten; to actuate the sheet feed mechanism; and to actuate theoperating means for advancing the carbon or transfer webs in the mannerhereinafter described.

When the actuating bar 29 is in its normal or intermediate position asshown in Fig. 6 the platen positioning cams 24 rest in the position vshown in Fig. 4, that is, with the rollers 23 resting in the low part ofthe earns 24. In this position of the bar 29. the platen l9 rests belowthe surface of the bed plate I! so as not to interfere with theinsertion of the various record sheets. However, when the bar 29 isshifted to its forward position shown in Fig. "I, the link lll causesthe arm 28 to rock the shaft 25 so that the cams 24 are effective toraise the platen is to provide a rigid supporting surface at the writingline of the device.

The head l'l' includes a support or plate 4| that extends over the topof the bed It and is formed with depending portions "and 43, Figs. 1, 4,and 10. A pair of side supporting plates 44 and 45 are rigidly securedto each side of the top plate 4| adjacent the rear portion 43 thereof.Each plate 44 and 45 is provided with a slot 46 having one endterminating in the enlarged opening 41 adapted to receive the reducedhub of bushings 48 and 49 supported on shaft it. These bushings areadapted to be ings 41 and locked to shaft it by set screws so as toprovide a pivotal mounting for the head- Upon loosening they set screws,the'bushings and the head II may be adjusted transversely along shaft l8corresponding-to any ad-' justment desired and made with respect to thewriting position of the platen [9. For assembly purposes, the slots 48provide for the brackets '44 and 45 to he slipped in position over theshaft it prior to the placement of thebushings 48 and 49. Obviously. thehead may be removed from the casting II by loosening and withdrawing thebushings from the supporting plates 44 and 45. The arrangement providesthat the head l1 may be rocked'about its supporting bushings to raise itto the position shown in Fig. 10.

Each supporting plate 45 and 4| is provided with an extending armportion 44a and 48a, be-

inserted in the openupon the tension of the spring 83 for the latch armII tends to hold the headin the raised position.

spring I2 may be wound on a cylindrical hub carried by one of theelements and on one end of thespring connected with the other element.

The actuating bar 29, which normally rests in the intermediate positionshown in Fig. 6 is supported by brackets II mounted on the side frameII. A pair of spaced pins I9 and 11 carried on the side of the bar 29are effective to A second cross rod 55 carried by the plates 44 and 49,has one end extending outward from plate 49, and is adapted upon theraising of the head to engage projecting fingers II of the feed roll arm51 pivoted at 59 to the bracket 59 carried on the bottom of the bedplate ll, Figs. 10

and-l1. A pair of upper feed rolls BI are journaled on studs carried byarms 51. and are normally retained in engagement with the driven feedrollers 92 by the springs 89 connected to the arms 51. Therefore, itwill be seen that upon raising the head aspreviously described, the rodII will rock the arms 51 to move them in a counterclockwise direction,Fig. 11, so as to raise the rollers BI out of engagement with therollers 92 as shown in Fig. 10. v

A plate 98 adapted to serve as a sheet end guide and deflector issuitably pivoted at 95 to the sheet diverting member I42. A suitablespring is provided to rock the deflector 68 about its pivot so that itprojects through the opening I9 and above the surface of the bed I3 whenthe head is raised. However, when the head is lowered to writingposition, the deflector plate 66 is engaged by a projecting part 61carried by the side flange 9i of the top plate 4 I. When the part 61engages the plate 66 the latter is held in the position shown in Fig. 11against the tension of its operating spring.

The driven feed rollers 62 are rigidly mounted on the cross shaft IIIhaving its ends journaled in bearings supported by the side frames IIand I2. A driver element It having a cylindrical hub Ila is looselymounted on shaft III ad- Jacent the side frame II, Figs, 3, 6, and 9.Referring to Fig. 9 itwill be seen that hub Ila is provided with areduced shoulder that supports one end of a coil spring I2. A drivenelement I3 pinned to the rotatable shaft III is also provided with areduced cylindrical portion mounted in juxtaposition with hub lid andsupports the other end of the coil spring I2. This arrangement providesfor a spring clutch or drive connection between the driver member II andthe driven member I3 fixed on shaft III for the purpose ofintermittently rotating the shaft II! and the feed rolls 62 inonedirectlon. With this arrangement, when the driver II is rocked in aclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6, the cylindrical portion 'IIathrough its gripping engagement with one end of the coil spring 12 tendsto over-wind or reduce the diameter of the spring. This action ofreducing the diameter of the spring I2 by the movement of the driverelement II causes the opposite end of the spring to more firmly grip thecylindrical hub portion of the driven element 13 fixed to the shaft III.The gripping action set up is effective to rotate the shaft 19 and thefeed roller 62 at predetermined intervals in the actuation of thedevice. Obviously, as an alternative arrangement for a spring clutchmechanism, the element I3 may serve as the driver, and through thespring I2 actuate the element II. Furthermore, the coils of the actuatethe driver II when the bar is shifted rearward from the position shownin Fig.- 6 to that shown in Fig. 8 in the operation of the device.However, the studs 19 and I1 are not effective to rock the driverIIuntil the bar 29 is moved rearward beyond its so-called normal orintermediate position. A spring I8 tends to constantly rotate the driver'II in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 6 until it strikesthe stop pin IIc. Any retrograde movement of the driver 'II tends tounwind or enlarge the coils of the spring I2 and is ineffective toproduce the gripping action by spring 12. Therefore, the feed rollers 92are not rotated upon the return movement of the actuator-II by thespring I9. This is due to the fact that the driver II in its returnmovement tends to open or loosen the coils of the spring I2 so that theydo not grip both of the cylindrical hub portions of the driver elementII and the driven element I3.

A retarding means including an arm I9 eliminates any tendency of theshaft 10 to rotate when the driver II is moved in a counterclockwisedirectionas viewed in Fig. 6. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the arm I9 ismounted for adjustment on an eccentric bushing 89 carried by the sideframe I2. A roller 8| on the arm I9 is held in contact with a disc 82pinned to the shaft III by a spring 93. The frictional engagement of theroller 8| permits rotation of the shaft III in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 4 but prevents any retrograde movement ofthe shaft I0 and the feed rollers 62.

As previously described the initial step in preparing the device for useincludes raising the head H to the position shown in Fig. 10. Thisoperation is eflective to release the defiector plate 68, and throughthe rod 55, is effective to separate the feed rollers 6|. The machine isthen ready'and prepared for the reception and placement of the journalor payroll record sheet 9. As sheet 9 is placed on the bed I3, the endthereof will pass between the feed rollers GI and 62. This record sheetis positioned to align the first item line with the writing lineindicator I49 suitable secured to the casing I0. After the sheet 9 hasbeen positioned on the bed plate I3, the head I1 is lowered, therebypermitting the cooperative engagement of the feed rollers BI and 82 asthe rod 55 moves away from the fingers 56 of the roller supporting arms51. The device is then prepared for the placement of the other recordsheets in the device that are essential to a predetermined postingoperation.

The Plate ll of the head I I is provided with an upwardly extending.sheet guide flange 9] along the left side thereof, Figs. 3 and 5. Asheet end gauge 92 is slidably mounted on the flange 9| and adapted tobe held in position by the thumb screw 93. The employees record sheet 9is placed upon the plate 4| with its side edge engaging the flange 9|and its lower left-hand corner in engagement with the gauge 92. Thegauge 92 having been previously shifted to position the desired entryline with respect to a writing line indicator 94 formed'from aheadingmember 95 supported on the'side flange M and overlying the record sheet.The lowermost edge 94a. of the indicator 94 denotes the'writing line ofthe device. In payroll work, the gauge 92 is adjusted each week toposition the sheet 9 so as to align the current week of the year forwhich an entry is to be made, at the common writing line of the device.The member 95 is arranged to receive an index card 96 bearingappropriate titles corresponding to the columnar arrangement of theforms. This index card serves to assist the operator in making themanual entries in the desired columns of the form. After the sheet 8 ispositioned on the head plate 4|, the sheet gripper lever 91 may bereleased so as to prevent accidental or other displacement of the sheetin making entries thereof.

The sheet gripper mechanism comprises a lever 91 pivoted at 98 to abracket 99 carried by the side flange. 9| of the plate 4|, Figs. 3 and10. A starwheel I is journaled on a stud IOI carried by one arm of thelever 91. The wheel I00 is held in contact with the sheet under thetension of the spring I02. However, when the lever 97 is rocked aboutits pivot to the release position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 10, thespring I02 passes over the center of the pivot of the lever and servesto hold the lever in its forward or release position. When the starwheelI00 is in engagement with the sheet at least two points thereof serve togrip the sheet. This increases the efliciency of the gripper so that itfirmly holds the sheet in position. A further advantage is that thestarwheel may be thrown into engagement with the sheet and assume itsholding position without any tendency to buckle or shift th sheet. Thelatter is due to the fact that the starwheel is free torotate about itspivot until both engaging points thereof contact the sheet 8 positionedon plate 4|.

The head plate 4| is provided with an opening I05 at the writing line ofthe machine, and in alignment with the Writing platen I9. Therefore, anynotations made on the record sheet 0 may be transferred to anyunderlying record sheets by one or more transfer members arranged topass underneath the plate 4|.

As viewed in Figs. 3, 4, and 10, a supply spool I08 of carbon or othertransfer material is supported beneath the depending flange 42 of the 1The latter plate M by side plates I06 and I01. plates are suitablysecured to the head plate H and adapted to removably support the carbonspool I08; A knob I09 controls the releasable holding means for thespool I08, and provides for rewinding the carbon web or taking up anyslack in the webs. carry one or more webs of carbon paper adapted to bethreaded andadvanced through the device. In the present arrangement twowebs of carbon H1 and H9 are employed, and arranged to pass over theremovable front guide bar IIO, under the head plate M, and then over therear guide rod III to the winding spool II2.

A receiving throat for the third record sheet or envelope such as form Iis provided underneath the right side of the head plate II as viewed inFigs. 1 and 5. This receiving throat permits a form to be insertedbetween the upper carbon web H1 and the lower carbon web H9. Thereceiving throat includes a plate II5 having an upturned lip secured tothe under side of the head plate 4| plate H5 extends beneath thelongitudinal mar- The supply spool I08 may An offset flange II6 of'theone spool to the other.

ginal edge of the upper carbon web I". A second plate H8 is also carriedon the under side of-the head plate 4| adjacent but spaced from theplate H5. The plate I I0 extends inwardly beyond the longitudinalmarginal edge of the second carbon web H9. The plates H5 and III alsoassist in guiding the carbon webs and re tain them in spaced relation asthey pass from The receiving throat, including the plates H5 and H8,provides for the ready insertion of a record sheet between a carbon webso that it may be positioned in maulfolding relation with the'otherrecord forms. A suitable adjustable gauge I20 is provided forpositioning the line of entry of sheet I at the writing line of themachine, and in relation to the otherrecord shets.

The rear winding spool H2 is loosely mounted on the shaft I6 butnormally operatively connected thereto for rotation by the spool windingmechanism. This connection consists of a latch pawl I22 pivotallymounted on one side flange of the spool 2,, Figs. 3 and 4. An offset earII3 of the pawl I22 is arranged to normally engage the projecting end ofa set screw II4 serving to hold the spacing collar I49 rigid with theshaft I6. The engagement of the pawl I22 with the screw head II4provides a driving connection between spool H2 and shaft I5. In theevent it is desired to disconnect the spool II2 from the shaft I6 allthat is'necessary is to grasp the finger piece I23 of the pawl I22 androck the pawl so as to disengage the ear II3 from the screw head II4.When the carbon spool H2 is released from the shaft I6 the carbon websmay bgarewound on the supply spool I08 by the knob The winding mechanismfor the carbon spool H2 is also operated by the actuating bar 29 movedby the knob 3I. Referring to Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings, a contactplate I25 is adjustably secured to the rear of the bar 29 by a screw I26passing throughthe elongated slot formed therein. A ratchet plate I29loosely mounted on the shaft I6 is normally held in engagement with aspring. stud I35 carried on the side frame II by the spring I34. Theratchet plate I29 carries a stud I23 extending into the path of anextending ear of the plate I25. Therefore,'when the actuator bar 29 ismoved rearward, the plate I25 engages the stud I28 and rocks the ratchetplate I29 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6.

The extent of movement of the ratchet plate I29 depends upon theposition to which the plate I26 is adjusted on the bar I29 which in turndetermines the extent of advance of the carbon webs. A ratchet dog I30carried by the plate I29 is held in engagement with the ratchet wheel I3I, pinned to the shaft I5, by a spring I32. The dog I30 serves to rotatethe shaft IS a predetermined extent each time the ratchet plate I 29 isrocked by the bar 29. A- holding pawl I33 prevents any retrogrademovement of the ratchet wheel Ill and shaft I6. The rotation of theshaft I0 by the winding mechanism advances a predetermined length of thecarbon webs Ill and H9 on the winding spool II2 upon each rearwardstroke of the bar 29. By adjusting the plate I25 on the actuating bar29, the length of feed of the webs of carbon may be increased ordiminished according to the requirements of a posting operation or thequality of carbon paper in use.

After the three record sheets have been properly placed in the device asdescribed, the initial step in the operation of the device is'to raisethe platen I9 before posting an entry. The platen has up to this pointbeen maintained in its lower position in order to provide free accessand insertion of the record sheet I between the carbon webs. The platenI8 is raised to writing position by shifting the knob 8| forward fromits initial normal or intermediate position so as to move the bar 29from the position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 7. As previouslydescribed, the forward movement of the bar 29 through the link 39 andthe rocker arm 28 rotates the shaft to move the cams 24 to raisev theplaten I9. After the platen has been raised the device is prepared foruse and the desired entries may be inscribed upon the original oruppermost record 'I, and simultaneously transferred to the underlyingrecord sheets 8 and 9.

In completing the posting of a single line of entries, the posted recordsheet 8 is removed for the placement of the earning record of the nextemployee. It is also desired to displace the platen so as to conditionthe machine for the withdrawal of sheet I and for the insertion of acheck or envelope for the next employee; to advance sheet 9 for asubsequent posting on the next line of entry; and to advance the carbonwebs. With the present construction the latter steps are allaccomplished by a single rearward movement of the actuator knob 3 I. Tofacilitate the operation of the machine, a stationary knob 3Ia ismounted on the side frame I I. In the rearward movement of the knob 8|,it is convenient for the operator to place the thumb over the knob 3|and the first linger over the stationary knob 3 I a.

As the bar 29 is moved rearward from its forward position, the platen isfirst lowered by the action of the link 39 to rock shaft 25. Thecontinued rearward stroke of the bar 29 causes the plate I25 to move theribbon winding ratchet mechanism to advance the carbon webs, and is alsoeffective to actuate the feed roller mechanism for advancing sheet 9.

After the actuator bar 29 is moved rearward sufliciently to displace theplaten I9, the stud I6 carried by the bar 29 engages an ear lIa of theactuator or driver II and starts to rock the latter about its axis in aclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6. As previously described, thedriver II is effective through the spring clutch including the spring I2to rotate the shaft I0 and in turn the feed roll 52. If the rearwardstroke of the bar 29 is sufllcient, a second stud ll engages an ear 1 lbof the actuator 1I so as to positively complete the movement of theactuator II in accordance with the predetermined stroke of the bar 29.The length of the stroke of the bar 29 may be varied by the adjustingscrew III carried by the block IlIi supported at the front end of thebar 29. The end of the screw I is adapted to engage the front bracket I5to limit the rearward movement of the bar 29. Therefore, by adjustingthe screw Ill the stroke of the bar 29 may be lengthened or shortened toregulate and vary the rota-' tion of the feed rollers BI and 52. Thescrew Ill I is effective to widely vary the action of the feed rollersso that the step-by-step advance of the record sheet 9 may be regulatedto correspond to the spacing of the entry lines thereon.

The actuating bar 29, adapted to engage the actuator l I is movedrearward against the tension of the spring 18. Therefore, when the knob3| is released after completing the rearward stroke of the bar 29, thespring I8 serves to return the bar and its operating knob 2|, to theirnormal or intermediate position. In the return movement of the operatingmechanism, the actuator II under the tension of spring 18 will engagethe stop pin 1 I0 carried by the side frame I I. Therefore, theoperating bar 28 will come to rest at its intermediate or normalposition. The machine is then prepared for the removal of the Postedrecord I, and the positioning of the next check or envelope stub to beposted.

In certain types of payroll disbursement, some employers find itadvantageous to use what is known as a top-stub form of payroll check,generally denoted by the reference numeral Ia. As shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings, such checks are provided with a detachable stub having thevoucher panel along the top marginal edge. In the use of a form of thischaracter, it is desirable to position the voucher panel of the stub atthe writing line of the machine.

A slightly modified form of the present invention, especially adapted tohandle top-stub record sheets is shown in Fig. 2. In this embodimentinstead of the end stub of the check or cash envelope being placed inthe side receiving throat of the machine, as previously described, therecord la is positioned over the top of the record sheet 8. A short endstub of the sheet la is provided with punched openings adapted to beplaced over the locating pins I50. The pins I58 are carried by a plateI5I adjustably secured to a second plate I52 by the screws I53. Theplate I52 is adiustably secured to the bed plate I3 of the machine bythe screws I54. The adjustable mounted plates I5I and I52 provide foraccurately positioning the voucher panel of the stub of the record Iawith relation to the writing line of the machine and the other recordsheets.

As the record sheet 9 is advanced by the feed rollers BI and 52 aftereach posting operation, the end thereof is deflected downwardly by theplate 66. The sheet is adapted to engage the diverter plate I42, and inits continued advance, the forward end is guided to the front of theposting appliance. After all the entry lines on sheet -9 have been used,the arrangement provides for a readily and accessible manner of removingthe payroll record from the machine.

A modified form of actuating means for the bar 29 is shown in Fig. 15 ofthe drawings. A pin 3Ic is carried by the bar 29 and projects through anelongated opening 32 of the side frame I I. A lever I51 pivoted at I58to the frame II is formed with a bifurcated end engaging the pin 3Ic.Another end of the lever I51 is formed with an elongated slot engagedbya stub I58 carried by the operating arm I58 pivoted at I69 to the sideframe II. In this embodiment, a spring 18b tends to retain the bar 29 inits forward position, so that the platen I9 is normally raised towriting position. Therefore, it will be seen that upon the depression ofthe operating lever I56, the bar 29 is given a complete rearward strokeof operation. This modified embodiment of the invention is especiallyadapted for use when an assembly of forms, such as shown in Fig. 2, isused with the writing machine. In such case it is not necessary toinsert a record sheet into the side throat of the device, and the platendoes not have to be normally separated as in the case of the embodimentshown in Fig. l of the drawings.

I claim:

1. A writing machine with a common writing line for use in manuallyposting entries on a plurality of superimposed record sheets having, incombination, a casing having a bed surface for supporting a masterrecord sheet to be successively advanced for the reception of entries atthe writing line of the machine, a head plate member mounted on saidcasing and normally overlying said bed surface for supporting anoriginal record sheet upon which a single line of entries is to be made,said plate member formed with an opening at the writing line of themachine, two webs of carbon transfer material arranged underneath saidhead plate, means for supporting said webs of transfer material, a pairof spaced plates forming a receiving throat supported along one edge onthe under side of said head plate, said spaced plates having one edgearranged to enter between and to overlap one longitudinal marginal edgeof said transfer webs, said receiving throat plates being adapted toguide a third record sheet between said transfer webs and between saidoriginal and master record sheets for the reception of a single line ofentries thereon, whereby any inscription made on said original recordwill be transferred to said third and said master record sheets.

2. A writing machine with a common writing line for use in postingentries on a plurality of superimposed record sheets having, incombination, a casing having a surface for supporting a master recordsheet upon which entries are to be transferred, a head unit pivotallyconnected to said casing and adapted to support one or more recordsheets and carbon transfer members in manifolding relation, said headunit having an opening at the writing line of the machine so thatwritings made on the topmost record sheet may be transferred to theunderlying record 4. A writing machine with a common writing line forposting entries on a plurality of superimposed record sheets having, incombination, a casing having a bed surface formed with an opening at thewriting line and adapted to receive a master record sheet upon whichsuccessive entries are to be transferred, a head unit formed with anopening at the writing line and mounted on said casing to overlie saidbed surface for receiving one or more original and other record sheets,transfer material arranged in manifolding relation with said recordsheets, means to support said transfer material for advancementunderneath said head unit, a shiftable plate member mounted in saidcasing, said plate member being adapted to be shifted to and from aposition effective to support said superimposed record sheets and saidtransfer material in close proximity at the writing line to facilitatethe entry of legible inscriptions on the sheets, selectively operablemeans for shifting said plate member to effective position to supportsaid record sheets and to shift the plate member from said effectiveposition so as to permit free removal and insertion of the record sheetsin said head unit and advance of the transfer material, and means foradvancing said transfer material.

5. A writing machine with a common writing I line for use in postingentries on a plurality of sheets, said head unit normally overlying andI resting adjacent said casing but adapted to be raised so as to bespaced away from said casing, selectively operable feed mechanismsupported by said casing adapted to hold and advance said master recordsheet step-by-stcp over said casing surface, and means operable upon theraising of said head unit to render said feed mechanism ineffective tohold and advance said master record sheet.

3. A writing machine of the character described having, in combination,a casing provided with a surface upon which a master record sheet ispositioned and advanced for the reception of successive lines oftransferred entries, 9. head unit pivotally connected to said casing andadapted to support one or more original and other record sheets in.manifolding relation, said head unit having an opening at the writingline of the mashine so that the writings made on the uppermost recordsheet may be transferred to the underlying sheets, said head unitnormally overlying and resting adjacent said casing surface but adaptedto be moved about its pivot and raised away from said surface to permitthe positioning of said master sheet, feed roll mechanism for holdingand advancing said master record stepby-step over said casing surface,comprising: a feed roller arm pivotally mounted on said casing, a drivenfeed roller supported adjacent said surface by said casing, a pressurefeed roller normally in cooperative engagement with said driven rollerand journaled on said roller arm above said surface, and selectivelyoperable actuating means for said driven roller; said head unit having apart adapted when the unit is moved about its pivot to engage said feedroll arm so as to move said pressure roller out of engagement with saiddriven roller upon the raising of said head unit.

superimposed record sheets having, in combination, a casing having a bedsurface formed with an opening at the writing line and for supporting amaster record sheet upon which successive lines of entries are to beposted, a movable head unit mounted on said casing to overlie said bedsurface and adapted to receive one or more record data sheets upon whicha single line of entries is to be posted, said head unit formed with anopening at the writing line of the machine, transfer material arrangedin manifolding relation with said record sheets and adapted to beadvanced along the under side of said head unit, means for supportingsaid transfer material, a shiftable writing platen mounted in saidcasing and adapted to form a writing surface at the writing line of themachine, said platen adapted to be shifted to and from a positioneffective to support said superposed record sheets and transfer materialin close proximity at the writing line. means for advancing said masterrecord sheet step-by-step to receive successive entries thereon, and acommon actuating means for shifting said platen and for operating saidsheet advancing means.

6. A writing machine with a common writing line for use in normallyposting entries on a plurality of superimposed record sheets having, incombination, a casing having a bed surface formed with an opening at thewriting line and for supporting a master record sheet upon whichsuccessive'lines of entries are to be transferred, a movable head unitmounted on said casing to normally overlie said bed surface and adaptedto support one or more record sheets positioned thereon for thereception of a single line of entries, said head unit formed with anopening at the writing line of the machine, webs of transfer materialarranged to advance along the under side thereon in manifolding relationwith said record sheets, means for supporting said transfer webs, ashiftable writing platen mounted in said proximity at the writing line,means for ad vancing said master record sheet step-by-step to positionsuccessive entry lines at the writing line, means for shifting saidplaten to and from said effective position, means for advancing saidtransfer webs so as to renew the material at the writing line, and acommon selectively operable actuator for said master sheet advancingmeans, said platen shifting means, and said transfer advancing means. I

'1. A writing machine with a single writing line for use in manuallyposting entries on a plurality of sheets positioned thereon insuperimposed relation having, in combination, a casing with a supportingsurface upon which a master record sheet is positioned and advanced toreceive successive lines of entries transferred thereon, a movable headunit mounted on said casing normally overhanging said casing surface,said head unit formed with, an opening at the writing line and arrangedto receive one or more record sheets positioned thereon at the writingline for the reception of a single line of entries, carbon transfer websarranged to advance along the under side of the unit in manifoldingrelation withadvancing means and said feed roller means, and

means for adjusting the stroke of said actuator so as to increase orreduce the advance of said master record with relation to the writingline by said feed roller means.

8. A writing machine with a single writing line for use in manuallyposting entries on a plurality of individual sheets positioned thereonin manifolding relation having, in combination, a casing with asupporting surface upon which a master record sheet is positioned andadvanced to receive successive lines of entries transferred thereon, amovable head unit formed with an opening at the writing line and mountedon said casing normally overhanging said casing surface, said head unitarranged to receive one or more record sheets positioned thereon at thewriting line for a single line of entries, a pair of spools beingadapted to carry one or more webs of carbon transfer material arrangedto advance along the under side of said unit in manifolding relationwith said record sheets, one of said spools removably supported by saidhead unit and the other removably supported in said casing, feed rollermeans mounted in said casing and adapted to be actuated to advance saidmaster record sheet step-by-step to position different entry portionsthereof at the writing line of the ma chine, means for rotating one, ofsaid spools to advance said transfer webs over the writing line,

a selectively operable actuating means for said feed roller means andsaid spool advancing means having a normally constant operating stroke,and adjustable means associated with said actuator to increase or reducethe feeding action of said transfer web advancing means when operated bysaid actuating means.

9. A writing machine with a single writing line for use in manuallyposting entries on a plurality of record sheets positioned thereon inmanifolding relation having, in combination, a casing with the-writingline and upon which a master record,

sheet is positioned and advanced to receive successive lines of entriestransferred thereon, a head unit formed with an opening at the writingline and mounted on said casing overhanging said casing surface, saidhead unit arranged to receive one or more data record sheets positionedthereon at the writing line for the receptionof a single line ofentries, carbon transfer webs arranged to advance along the underside ofsaid unit in manifolding relation with said record sheets, means forsupporting said transfer webs, means for advancing said transfer webs soas to renew the transfer material, at the writing line, a writing platenmounted in said casing and adapted to be shifted from an ineffectiveposition to a position effective to provide a writing surface and tosupport said record sheets and transfer material in close proximity atthe writing line of the machine, means for shifting said platen fromineffective position to the eflective writing positon, feed roller meansmounted in said casing for advancing said master record sheetstep-bystep to position successive entry portions at the writing line,and a selectively operable actuator having an operating stroke in onedirection to actuate said shifting means to move said platen toeffective position and an operating stroke in the opposite direction toactuate said carbon advancing means and said feed roller means.

10. A writing machine with a common writing line for use in postingentries on a plurality of sheets arranged in manifolding relationhaving, in combination, a casing provided with a bed surface having anopening at the writing line and adapted to support a master record sheetupon which successive lines of entries are to be posted, a movable headunit mounted on said casing and adapted to support one or more recorddata sheets upon which a single line of entries is to be posted, saidhead unit formed with an opening, at the writing line of the machine,transfer material arranged to be advanced in manifolding' relation withsaid record sheets, means for supporting said transfer material, ashiftable yoke member pivoted to the bottom of said bed surface, saidyoke having a flat portion substantially parallel to the plane of saidsurface and adapted to be moved to and from writing position through theopening in said surface, a rock shaft supported by said casing, cammeans on said rock shaft for shifting the flat portion of said yokemember to writing position, means for feeding said master record toposition successive entry portions at the writing line, means foradvancing said trans fer material, and a manual actuating means for saidrecord feed means and said transfer advncing means, said actuating meansadapted when moved in one direction to rock said shaft to move said yokeportion to writing position and adapted when moved in the oppositedirection to rock said shaft to move said yoke portion from writingposition.

' 11. In a posting machine with a common writing line adapted for use inmanually entering items on superimposed record sheets having, incombination, a bed surface for supporting a. mas ter record sheetadapted to be intermittently advanced to receive successive lines ofentries thereon at the writing line of the machine, selectively operablemeans supported in said casing for holding and advancing said mastersheet between each posting operation, a dis lacea-ble head unitshiftably mounted on said casing and normally overlying said bedsurface, said head unit formed with an opening at the writing line, saidunit being adapted to receive and support other record sheets for thereception of a single line of entries at the writing line of themachine, transfer means interposed between the record sheets, means forsupporting said transfer means, said head unit shiftable on said casingfor lateral adjustment with respect to said bed surface so as to varythe position of said other record sheets with respect to said mastersheet, and releasable means for retaining said head unit in an "adjustedposition. v

12. A writing machine having a common posting lin'e adapted for use in,manually entering items on a plurality of sheets positioned thereon insuperimposed relation having, in combina-' tion, a casing with a workreceiving surface formed with an opening at the posting line and uponwhich a master sheet is positioned and advanced to receive successivelines of entries transferred thereon, a platen supported in said casingat the posting line,- a displaceable head unit mounted on said casingand normally overlying said work surface, said head unit formed with anopening at the posting line and arranged to receive one or moreindependent record sheets positioned thereon at the posting line for thereception of a single line of entries, transfer means interposed betweenthe record sheets, means for supporting said transfer means, feed meansmounted in said casing and adapted to be intermittently actuated toadvance said master record sheet step-by-step to position successivelines of entries at the posting line between posting operations,selectively movable bar having a normally uniform operating stroke foractuating said feed means, and means for adjusting the stroke of saidbar so as to increase or reduce the advance of said master sheetrelative to the posting line by said feed means.

13. A writing machine with a common posting.

line for use in manually entering items on a plurality of record sheetspositioned thereon in superimposed relation having, in combination, acasing with a work receiving surface upon which a master record sheet ispositioned and advanced to receive successive lines of entriestransferred thereon, a displaceable head unit shiftably mounted on saidcasing and normally overlying said work surface, said head unit formedwith an opening at the posting line and being adapted to receive one ormore record sheets positioned thereon for the reception of a single lineof entries at the posting line, carbon transfer webs arranged to advancein manifolding relation with the record sheets, means for supportingsaid transfer webs, so as to renew the transfer material at the postingline, feed means carried by said casing and adapted to be actuated toadvance said master record sheet step-by-step to position successiveentry lines at the posting line ofthe machine, selectively operableactuator having a normally uniform operating stroke to actuate saidtransfer web advancing means and said feed means, means for adjustingthe stroke of said actuator so as tov increase or reduce the advance ofsaid master sheet with relation to the posting line by said feed means,and independent adlusting means associated with said actuator toincrease or reduce the movement of said transfer webs by said advancingmeans upon the move ment'of said actuator.

14. A writing machine with a common posting line for use in manuallyentering items upon superimposed record sheets having, in combination, acasing provided with a surface for supporting a master record sheet,intermittently actuated feed means for holding and advancing the mastersheet with relation to said posting line, selective means for actuatingsaid feed means, a dlsplaceable head shiftably mounted on said casingand normally overlying said surface, said head member formed with anopening at the posting line and being adapted to receive and support anoriginal record sheet, transfer means interposed between the recordsheet, means for supporting said transfer means, a selectively operablelever pivotally supported on said head member, a rotatable grippermember pivoted to said lever and being adapted to be moved intoengagement with said original record sheet to prevent displacementthereof in, the use of the machine, said gripper member havingprojections widely spaced about its periphery for engagement with theoriginal record sheet, and spring means for said lever, said grippermember being adapted to rotate freely on said lever so that any twoadjacent pro- Jections are self-adjusted upon coming into contact withthe sheet, whereby the pressure applied thereto by said lever throughsaid spring is equalized, the arrangement being such that when oneprojection of the gripper member is brought into contact with the sheetahead of the other, the gripper member is adapted to rotate without anytendency to displace said original record sheet with relation to-saidmaster record and the posting line of the machine, but when two of saidproiections engage the sheet it is held under the tension of saidspring.

15. A writing machine with a single writing line for use in manuallyposting entries on a plurality of individual sheets positioned thereonin manifolding relation having, in combination, a casing having a bedsurface to receive a master record sheet upon which entries are to betransferred, a cross shaft having its ends mounted in said casing, ashiftable head unit formed with an opening at the writing line and beingpivotally supported at one end on said cross shaft, said head unitnormally overlying said bed surface to receive other record sheets forthe reception of entries at the writing line of the machine, carbontransfer material arranged to advance in manifolding relation with saidrecord sheets, a supply spool and a winding spool for said transfermaterial, said supply spool removably supported at the free end of saidhead unit opposite that supported on said shaft, said winding spoolcarried by said cross shaft, releasable means for connecting' saidwinding spool to said shaft, and selectively operable means for rotatingsaid shaft to wind said transfer material from said supply spool to saidwinding spool in order to renew the carbon transfer at said writing lineof the machine, the arrnagement being such that the free end of saidhead unit carrying said supply spool may be raised and displaced fromsaid bed surface in order to permit a master record sheet to bepositioned on said bed surface.

WILLIAMUHL.

